The Declaration (3)

'Hit her,' ordered Mrs Pincent, who was now walking towards her. 'Maker her know her Sins. Help her to learn from her mistakes and to understand what being a Surplus means. Make her see that she is unwanted, a burden; that every step she takes along these corridors are steps that she has stolen. Maker her see that she is worthless, that if she dies no one will care, that in fact the world will be better off with her not trespassing on it. Make her understand all that, Anna.' Mrs Pincent's voice was low and menacing, and Anna found herself trembling. Tania had to understand, she told herself. Tania had to learn, for her own sake. For all their sakes. Slowly, she drew her hand back to swipe Tania across the face. Tania looked at her for a moment, then her eyes flicked up to Mrs Pincent and back again. And then she smiled at Anna, a mocking smile full of hatred and contempt...However much she wanted Tania to Learn Her Place, she couldn't hit her. And the realisation frightened her, particularly as another smile began to wend its way across Tania's face. (pg. 83-84)

The government depicted in this novel establishes fear and domination within the institution of where Anna and Peter live. In this moment of the novel, two Surpluses, or unwanted children, engage in an argument. In that institution, misbehavior is frowned upon and will result in severe punishment. Since Anna is one of the oldest Surpluses in the building, she is the right-hand girl of Mrs. Pincent. Therefore, Anna acts as an overseer who keeps order among the children and makes sure the rules of Mrs. Pincent are enforced. As the overseer, she is viewed by the other children as a teacher’s pet or a goody goody and receives many “mocking smile[s]”.

Domination is present in the government of The Declaration because of the impact Mrs. Pincent has on Anna. Specifically in this passage, Mrs. Pincent has complete control over Anna and the way she thinks. When Mrs. Pincent tells Anna to hit Tania, Anna does her best to follow the order. She has in her mind that the way Mrs. Pincent thinks about society is the correct way to view things. Mrs. Pincent preaches that the Surpluses are “worthless” and “a burden” because their parents committed the ultimate “Sin”. Anna, not able to have a mind of her own, agrees with this ideology and wants “Tania...to understand”. She has been brainwashed by Mrs. Pincent and preaches against the children.

Fear is present in this government, and is an important aspect to how the government rules the society. It is something that overpowers the mind of the children, causing them do whatever the superiors want them to do, such as cleaning, cooking, and building. Mrs. Pincent has a reputation being the most feared person in the institution, for that the children tremble and become frightened when they misbehave or do something that goes against the word of Mrs. Pincent. Anna knew that Tania had not yet “Learn[ed] Her Place”, which goes against one of the biggest rules in that society. The phrase “Learn Her Place” is capitalized because it is something that must be inserted in the minds of the children. It represents a commandment that cannot be broken unless it would be considered a “Sin”. Superiors like Mrs. Pincent have created a society in which they can manipulate the people to do whatever they desire. They have the people fearing the Surpluses and the Surpluses fearing their existence.